Coupling Toy, System, and Kit

ABSTRACT

A coupling toy, system, and kit is provided. In certain embodiments, the coupling toy may comprise a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface may have one or more recesses sized to frictionally engage one or more studs along a toy platform. In some embodiments, the top surface may be connected or coupled to a toy character, such as a human-like toy, an animal-like toy, a toy building structure, or a portion of a toy building structure. The coupling kit may comprise a toy platform having a top surface with one or more studs disposed in a parallel matrix, and at least one toy figure having a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface of the toy figure may be connected to a toy character or a toy building structure. The bottom surface of the toy figure may comprise one or more recesses sized to frictionally engage the one or more studs.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACT

Not applicable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT RE. FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARK NOTICES

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document may contain materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may showand/or describe matter which is or may become trade dress of the owner.The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by any one of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files orrecords, but otherwise reserves all copyrights and trade dress rightswhatsoever.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates generally to coupling toys,systems, and kits and, more particularly, to a coupling toy, system andkit comprising a toy figure configured to frictionally engage a toyplatform so as to be freely combinable and suitable for a wide range ofmotor skills.

BACKGROUND

Toys, such as dolls and construction sets, promote creativity inchildren and adults alike. In particular, construction toys allowindividuals to build their own universe while teaching the fundamentalsof physics, mathematics, mechanics, and architecture. However,creativity is often limited by the toy's designs.

Traditional construction sets, such as U.S. Application No.2014/0,315,465 to Fusick, U.S. Pat. No. 3,594,940 to Yonezawa, and U.S.Pat. No. 5,645,463 to Olsen, teach press fit components. However, theseproposals are deficient. Primarily, many individuals lack sufficientmotor skills or suffer from disabilities that prevent or renderdifficult the ability to combine and separate the press fit components.Thus, the current proposals limit accessibility to healthy individuals.In addition, these proposals are deficient because they limit theinterchangeability of individual components. Pieces from one kit cannotbe combined with those from another because press fit pieces requiretight contact with multiple surfaces. Therefore, an individual with aplurality of kits cannot simply combine their pieces for extended play.Instead, the individual can only select a single set of pieces to playwith at any given time. In this way, play is limited to the kit, not theindividual's creativity.

Another proposal, U.S. Pat. No. 8,894,463 to Chan et al., teaches a toyfigure on a surfboard where the figure's feet are slid under strips offabric. While this teaches a non-press fit coupling, it remainsdeficient because it limits the toy figure to a single location. Thus,the proposal does not allow free, creative play.

Yet another proposal, U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,315 to Ben-Gal et al., teachescoupling through locking agents. This proposal is deficient, however,because the locking mechanism requires substantial motor skills tocombine, again limiting access to fully capable individuals. Further,this proposal is also deficient because the kit cannot be played incombination with another.

Currently, no proposal teaches a freely combinable, interactive,coupling toy that is suitable for a wide range of motor skills. As aresult, there remains a need for an improved coupling toy to promotecreativity.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a coupling toy, which may comprisea top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface may further haveone or more recesses sized to frictionally engage one or more studsalong a toy platform. The one or more recesses may therefore be spacedso as to correspond to spacing of the one or more studs. It is to beunderstood that the one or more recesses may be formed in any shape,size, or configuration so as to engage the one or more studs. Inaddition, while this disclosure describes the one or more recesses asfrictionally engaging the one or more studs, the one or more recessesmay engage the one or more studs in a non-frictional manner and mayfurther removably or permanently engage the one or more studs.

For purposes of summarizing, certain aspects, advantages, and novelfeatures have been described. It is to be understood that not all suchadvantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particularembodiment. Thus, the disclosed subject matter may be embodied orcarried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage orgroup of advantages without achieving all advantages as may be taught orsuggested.

In accordance with one embodiment, the one or more recesses may comprisefour recesses. In some of such embodiments, the four recesses may bequadrilaterally spaced. In other embodiments, the four recesses may bespaced in another polygonal manner. Moreover, the four recesses may bespaced in a uniform or non-uniform manner.

In certain embodiments wherein the one or more recesses may comprisefour recesses, the four recesses may be cylindrical or partiallycylindrical. In these embodiments, the one or more studs may also becylindrical and a portion of the four recesses may frictionally engage aportion of each of the one or more studs. In alternate embodiments, thefour recesses may fully frictionally engage each of the one or morestuds. In still further embodiments, the four recesses may frictionallyengage some of the one or more studs.

The top surface of the coupling toy may be connected to a toy character.Alternatively, the top surface may be connected to a toy buildingstructure. A person of ordinary skill will understand that the topsurface may be connected to other toys as well and the foregoing areprovided by way of example and not limitation. The toy character, thetoy building structure, or other toy may be removably or permanentlyconnected to the top surface of the coupling toy.

The coupling toy system and the coupling toy kit may comprise a toyplatform and at least one toy figure. Similar to the above-describedcoupling toy, the at least one toy figure may comprise a bottom surface,which may have one or more recesses. Additionally, the toy platform maycomprise one or more studs. In some embodiments, the one or morerecesses may be sized to engage the one or more studs. In furtherembodiments, the one or more recesses may be sized to frictionallyengage the one or more studs.

According to some embodiments, the one or more studs may be cylindricaland the one or more recesses may be partially cylindrical. In some ofthese embodiments, the one or more studs may be disposed in a parallelmatrix. Further, in such embodiments, the one or more recesses maycomprise four recesses, which may be quadrilaterally spaced so as tocorrespond to the parallel matrix.

The at least one toy figure may further comprise a top surface. The topsurface may be connected to a toy character or a toy building structure.For instance, the toy character may comprise a human-like character oran animal-like character. By way of further example, the toy buildingstructure may comprise a toy building or a portion of a toy building,such as a column or support. The toy character or the toy buildingstructure may be removably connected to the top surface. In otherembodiments, the toy character or the toy building structure may bepermanently connected to the top surface.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the at least one toy figure maycomprise two toy figures connected to the toy character. For example,the two toy figures may comprise two shoes, which may be connected tolegs or other limbs of the toy character. As another example, the twotoy figures may comprise two extremities, such as two hands or two feet.

One or more of the above-disclosed embodiments, in addition to certainalternatives, are provided in further detail below with reference to theattached figures. The disclosed subject matter is not, however, limitedto any particular embodiment disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the coupling toy.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom, perspective view of an embodiment of the couplingtoy.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of an embodiment of the coupling toy.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of an embodiment of the coupling toy.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of an embodiment of the coupling toy.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of an embodiment of the coupling toy.

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the couplingtoy.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of an embodiment of the coupling toy.

FIG. 9 shows a rear view of an embodiment of the coupling toy.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the coupling toysystem and kit.

The disclosed embodiments may be better understood by referring to thefigures in the attached drawings, as provided below. The attachedfigures are provided as non-limiting examples for providing an enablingdescription of the method and system claimed. Attention is called to thefact, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typicalembodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered aslimiting of its scope. One skilled in the art will understand that theinvention may be practiced without some of the details included in orderto provide a thorough enabling description of such embodiments.Well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described indetail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of theembodiments.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figuresillustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions anddetails of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in thedrawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodimentsof the present invention. The same reference numerals in differentfigures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in thedescription and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishingbetween similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particularsequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the termsso used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such thatthe embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operationin sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variationsthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises alist of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but mayinclude other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process,method, system, article, device, or apparatus

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the likeshould be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or moreelements or signals, electrically, mechanically or otherwise. Two ormore electrical elements may be electrically coupled, but notmechanically or otherwise coupled; two or more mechanical elements maybe mechanically coupled, but not electrically or otherwise coupled; twoor more electrical elements may be mechanically coupled, but notelectrically or otherwise coupled. Coupling (whether mechanical,electrical, or otherwise) may be for any length of time, e.g., permanentor semi-permanent or only for an instant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Having summarized various aspects of the present disclosure, referencewill now be made in detail to that which is illustrated in the drawings.While the disclosure will be described in connection with thesedrawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment orembodiments disclosed herein. Rather, the intent is to cover allalternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spiritand scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

With reference to FIG. 1 , one embodiment of a coupling toy 100 maycomprise a top surface 110 and bottom surface 120. The bottom surface120 may comprise one or more recesses 122, which may be sized tofrictionally engage one or more studs along a toy platform (not shown inFIG. 1 ). Further views of the coupling toy 100 are shown in FIG. 2-9 .

It is contemplated that the toy 100 may be made of any suitablematerial. For instance, the coupling toy 100 may be formed of plastic,rubber, ceramic, metal, wood, or a combination of the foregoing.

The bottom surface 120 may comprise a plurality of recesses 122. By wayof example and not limitation, the bottom surface 120 may comprise fourrecesses 122. In another example, the bottom surface 120 may comprisesix recesses 122. In yet another example, the bottom surface 120 maycomprise eight recesses 122. It is to be understood that the bottomsurface 120 may comprise any number of recesses 122 and should not belimited to the examples presented herein.

In one embodiment, including as shown in FIG. 2 , the one or morerecesses 122 may only extend through the bottom surface 120. In anotherembodiment, the one or more recesses 122 may extend to the top surface110. In yet another embodiment, the one or more recesses 122 may extendthrough the top surface 110.

In accordance with some embodiments, the one or more recesses 122 may beany shape. In one embodiment, the one or more recesses 122 may becylindrical. In another embodiment, the one or more recesses 122 may bepartially cylindrical. In yet another embodiment, the one or morerecesses 122 may be domed. In another embodiment, the one or morerecesses 122 may be partially domed. In yet another embodiment, the oneor more recesses 122 may be cuboidal. In yet another embodiment, the oneor more recesses 122 may be partially cuboidal.

In embodiments where the one or more recesses 122 may be cylindrical,domed, or cuboidal, the one or more recesses 122 may fully frictionallyengage each or some of the one or more studs. On the other hand, inembodiments where the one or more recesses 122 may be partiallycylindrical, partially domed, or partially cuboidal, for example, theone or more recesses 122 may frictionally engage a portion of each ofthe one or more studs.

In certain embodiments, the one or more recesses 122 may be distributedrandomly among the bottom surface 120. Further, as shown in FIG. 4 , theone or more recesses 122 may be distributed uniformly among the bottomsurface 120. By way of example and not limitation, the one or morerecesses 122 may be distributed in a polygonal manner along the bottomsurface 120. In another example, the one or more recesses 122 may bequadrilaterally spaced on the bottom surface 120. In yet anotherexample, the recesses 122 may be triangularly spaced on the bottomsurface 120.

It is contemplated that the height of the toy 100 may be at least theheight of the one or more recesses 122. It is further contemplated thatthe width of the toy 100 may be at least the width of the one or morerecesses 122. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , it is further contemplatedthat the width of the toy 100 may be greater than the width of the oneor more recesses 122. Further, it is contemplated that the length of thetoy 100 may be at least the length of or greater to the length of theone or more recesses 122.

In embodiments where the toy 100 may comprise one recess 122, the toy100 may be equivalent to the width and the length of the one recess 122.It is to be further understood that the toy 100 may comprise an unequalnumber of recesses 122 and the length and the width of each of theunequal number of recesses 122 may be unequal in size. In still furtherof such embodiments, the toy 100 may comprise an equal number ofrecesses 122, which may be equal in both length and width.

A bottom, perspective view of the coupling toy 100 is shown in FIG. 2 .As shown in FIG. 2 , the coupling toy 100 may comprise an outer wall101. In some embodiments, including that shown in FIG. 2 , the one ormore recesses 122 may extend through the outer wall 101. In otherembodiments, the outer wall 101 may be contiguous and the one or morerecesses 122 may be contained within the bottom surface 120.

With reference now to FIG. 3 , the top surface 110 may comprise anopening 112, which may be configured to receive a toy character (notshown in FIG. 3 ). In this manner, the opening 112 may have couplingabilities. Suitable forms of coupling may include press fit, locking,push fit, and sliding. It is further contemplated that the opening 112may be permanently coupled. Alternatively, the opening 112 may beremovably coupled.

The opening 112 may be formed as virtually any shape that mayaccommodate the toy character. By way of example and not limitation, theopening 112 may be cylindrical in shape. In other embodiments, theopening may be domed. In still other embodiments, the opening may becuboidal.

FIG. 10 illustrates a coupling toy system and kit 400, which maycomprise at least one toy figure 100 , shown in better detail in FIGS.1-9 , and a toy platform 200. In certain embodiments, the toy figure 100may engage the toy platform 200 along the bottom surface 120 and mayfurther engage a toy character 300 along the top surface 110. In some ofsuch embodiments, the toy figure 100 may frictionally engage the toyplatform 200 and the toy character 300. In other of such embodiments,the toy figure 100 may non-frictionally engage the toy platform 200 andthe toy character 300.

More particularly, the toy platform 200 may comprise one or more studs210, which may be disposed along a top surface 201 thereof. In furtherembodiments, the one or more studs 210 may be disposed along the topsurface 201 and a bottom surface 202. In addition, the toy figure 100may comprise one or more recesses 122, which may be sized and configuredto engage the one or more studs 210.

According to some embodiments, the one or more recesses 122 may engagethe one or more studs 210. As discussed previously, the one or morerecesses 122 may be sized to fit the one or more studs 210. In oneexample, the one or more recesses 122 may have a depth equal to theheight of the one or more studs 210. In another example, the one or morerecesses 122 may have a depth greater than the height of the one or morestuds 210. In other examples, the one or more recesses 122 may have adepth less than the height of the one or more studs 210.

The one or more studs 210 may be formed as virtually any shape. In someembodiments, the one or more studs 210 may be cylindrical or partiallycylindrical. In yet other embodiments, the one or more studs 210 may bedomed or partially domed. In further embodiments, the one or more studs210 may be cuboidal or partially cuboidal. In certain exemplaryembodiments, the one or more studs 210 may be the same shape as the oneor more recesses 122. In alternate embodiments, the one or more studs210 may be a different shape than the one or more recesses 122.

In accordance with the varying shapes of the one or more studs 210 andthe one or more recesses 122, the one or more recesses 122 may partiallyor fully engage the one or more studs 210. Moreover, the one or morestuds 210 may be removably coupled to the one or more recesses 122. Inother embodiments, the one or more recesses 122 may be permanentlycoupled to the one or more studs 210.

The one or more recesses 122 may be spaced along the bottom surface 120so as to align with and couple to the one or more studs 210.Accordingly, in some embodiments, the one or more studs 210 may beequally distributed across the toy platform 200. Further, the one ormore studs 210 may be distributed in a pattern along the toy platform200. As one example, the one or more studs 210 may be distributed in agrid structure along the toy platform 200. In another example, the oneor more studs 210 may be distributed in a parallel matrix.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the top surface 110 may be coupled to the toycharacter 300. By way of example and not limitation, the toy character300 may be in the form of a human. As another example, the toy character300 may be an animal. In a further example, the toy character 300 may bea building or a portion a building, such as a column, a beam, or asupport. the toy character 300 may be a plant. The toy character 300 mayalso be a fictional character. Moreover, the toy character 300 may beany form.

The toy character 300 may comprise a plurality of segments. As notedabove, the toy character 300 may be human-like. By way of example andnot limitation, in embodiments where the toy character 300 may behuman-like, the plurality of segments may include a head, torso, legs,and arms. In such an example, the plurality of segments may be static.In another example, the plurality of segments may be movable in relationto one another.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the toy character 300 may comprise two toy figures100 . For instance, as shown, the two toy figures 100 may be connectedby the toy character 300. It is to be understood that in additionalembodiments, the toy character 300 may comprise more than two toyfigures 100 .

In certain further embodiments, the coupling toy system and kit 400 maycomprise additional coupling elements. For example, the coupling toysystem and kit 400 may comprise one or more magnets. In yet anotherexample, the coupling toy system and kit 400 may comprise one or morehook and loop fasteners. These coupling elements may further facilitatecoupling of the toy figure 100 to the platform 200 or the toy figure 100to the toy character 300.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merelyexamples of possible implementations. Many variations and modificationsmay be made to the above-described embodiments without departing fromthe principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications andvariations are intended to be included herein within the scope of thisdisclosure and protected by the following claims.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicatedto the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/orlimitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are orare potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations inthe claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

While certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, various modifications are contemplated and can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, throughout this disclosure, the coupling toy, system, and kitis described as being connected to the toy character or the toy buildingstructure. However, the coupling toy, system, and kit may be connectedto virtually any type of toy. Accordingly, it is intended that theinvention not be limited, except as by the appended claims.

The teachings disclosed herein may be applied to other systems, and maynot necessarily be limited to any described herein. The elements andacts of the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments. All of the above patents and applicationsand other references, including any that may be listed in accompanyingfiling papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of theinvention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems,functions and concepts of the various references described above toprovide yet further embodiments of the invention.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing refined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the coupling toy, system, and kit with whichthat terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in thefollowing claims should not be constructed to limit the coupling toy,system, and kit to the specific embodiments disclosed in thespecification unless the above description section explicitly definesuch terms. Accordingly, the actual scope encompasses not only thedisclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing orimplementing the disclosed system, method and apparatus. The abovedescription of embodiments of the coupling toy, system, and kit is notintended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed aboveor to a particular field of usage.

While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the method, system, andapparatus are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible for which those skilled in therelevant art will recognize.

While certain aspects of the method and system disclosed are presentedbelow in particular claim forms, various aspects of the method, system,and apparatus are contemplated in any number of claim forms. Thus, theinventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing theapplication to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects ofthe coupling toy, system, and kit.

What is claimed is:
 1. A coupling toy, comprising a top surface and abottom surface, wherein the bottom surface has one or more recessessized to frictionally engage one or more studs along a toy platform. 2.The coupling toy of claim 1, wherein the one or more recesses comprisesfour recesses quadrilaterally spaced so as to correspond to the one ormore studs.
 3. The coupling toy of claim 2, wherein the four recessesare partially cylindrical, the one or more studs are cylindrical, and aportion of each of the four recesses frictionally engages a portion ofeach of the one or more studs.
 4. The coupling toy of claim 1, whereinthe top surface is connected to a toy character.
 5. The coupling toy ofclaim 1, wherein the top surface is connected to a toy buildingstructure.
 6. A coupling toy system, comprising a toy platform havingone or more studs; at least one toy figure having a top surface and abottom surface, wherein the bottom surface has one or more recessessized to frictionally engage the one or more studs.
 7. The coupling toysystem of claim 6, wherein the top surface is connected to a toycharacter or a toy building structure.
 8. The coupling toy system ofclaim 6, wherein the one or more studs are cylindrical and disposed in aparallel matrix; and the one or more recesses are partially cylindrical.9. The coupling toy system of claim 8, wherein the one or more recessescomprise four recesses.
 10. The coupling toy system of claim 9, whereinthe four recesses are quadrilaterally spaced.
 11. The coupling toysystem of claim 6, wherein the at least one toy figure comprises two toyfigures.
 12. The coupling toy system of claim 11, wherein the two toyfigures are two shoes or two extremities connected to the toy character.13. A coupling toy kit, comprising a toy platform having a top surfacewith one or more studs disposed in a parallel matrix; at least one toyfigure having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the topsurface is connected to a toy character or a toy building structure; andthe bottom surface has one or more recesses sized to frictionally engagethe one or more studs.
 14. The coupling toy kit of claim 13, wherein theone or more studs are cylindrical and the one or more recesses arepartially cylindrical.
 15. The coupling toy kit of claim 13, wherein theone or more recesses comprises four recesses quadrilaterally spaced soas to correspond to the parallel matrix.
 16. The coupling toy kit ofclaim 13, wherein the at least one toy figure comprises two toy figuresconnected to the toy character.
 17. The coupling toy kit of claim 16,wherein the two toy figures comprise two shoes or two extremities.